Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-03-31
Texas Letter.

Gerhardt,l to her parents regarding
trip, she with her husband and child
rem, made to Mexico recently, hoping
that it will be appreciated by her many
friends in our city and vicinity:
PALESTINE, TEXAS, MARCH IL.
Dear Home FokkS
promised to tell you all about my
trip, but that is impossible. can only
give you short sketch. We left here
on the morning of the and at 7:3o arriv-
ing at San Antonio at 9 that night, Civ
ing us an all-day ride, but slow one.
We saw some very pretty farms down
on the prairie, reminding one of some,
of the beautiful farms along the Cunt
berland Valley, Remaining over night
at San Antonio, we left next day at 10
O'Clock and arrived at Laredo at dusk
and remained there over night. The
next morning we were off bright and
early, getting into Saltilio, the termi-
nus of that road, at o'clock in the
evening. There we had the pleasure
of meeting some Texan friends who are
now living in that place. In Mexico
they never go calling except at night,
and then not until about O'Clock. The
following day our friends took us sight
seeing. We visited several places of
note, such as the Convent, Beer Garden,
Plaza, etc, and wound up by taking
supper with our friends, partaking of
fresh Strawberries, wine, cakes, etc.
We remained here over Sunday and
went to the Cathedral where we saw
handsomely dressed ladies get down on
their knees and crawl to the altar. Had
there been "bu1Ifight'' that day, we
might have been tempted by the novelty
of the thing to witness it, but there was
none. The theatre was open but we
did not attend it. Monday morning we
started for Montery, arriving there at
noon, and spent the afternoon riding
over the city and viewing objects of in
terest. The next morning we went to
Tapo Chico or Hot Springs where we.
remained until Thursday Morning.
Here we also met people from the states
whose society we greatly enjoyed.
Here we had good rest as it was COM
paratively quiet. III this country the
cities are very noisy. The streets are
all paved with stones and are sonarrow
that one imagines the hacks are on top
of the houses. Every thing is made of
white stones and is so dazzling i'll the
sunlight as to hurt the eyes of those not
accustomed to it. All houses except
hotels and public buildings are one
story, fat-roof and look as if they were
unfinished.
We saw anumbero of Americans while
in Mexico, most of them living there,
and able to speak Spanish real we'll.
The women here do not know what it.
is to wear bonnet or hat of any kind.
They have shawls thrown over the
head and left shoulder. The better
class Of ladies wear black lace shawls
all tucked up nicely and carry sun
shades when they go out during the day,
but you see very few out except Sunday.
While we were in Montery one ofthe
Regimental Bands gave concert in the
Opera House, which we attended Such
a crowd and profusion of dress never
saw in my life. The. first and second
galleries were crowded with ladies and
gents in full dress, and how the dia-
monds glittered The third gallery
was crowded with the lower class of
Mexicans, and the main part with peo-
pie in street dress. saw only two bon